INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
is also bound to register the two new categories , apart from registering only engineers prior to this , for the purpose of the provision of engineering services . Both Engineers and Engineering Technologists are given the same provision for practice under the Act . What may differ is that most Engineers will be inclined to Engineering Works in Design and Research , whereas Engineering Technologists in Supervision and Maintenance . The Engineering Technicians provide the support to the wide spectrum of the Engineering Works , ranging from trades to research .
As Malaysia is poised to become a developed country , the need for an adequate number of engineers and engineering technologists , and similarly engineering technicians become crucial . A ratio of 1:100 engineers to population , where engineers include engineering technologists , is a common standard for developed countries . Countries like Germany and Japan have even better ratios . Presently , Malaysia has a ratio of 1:300 , and as such there is a dire need to bridge the gap , an important task for Malaysian institutions of higher education . A ratio of 1:2:4 engineers to engineering technologists to engineering technicians is often quoted to provide the balance needed in developing a country .
With the amended Act , it is incumbent upon the BEM to be responsible to ensure that engineering technology and engineering technician educational programmes fulfil the academic and training requirements through the accreditation process . The BEM has and continue to accredit engineering programmes through the Engineering Accreditation Council ( EAC ). Starting from 2017 , the BEM will officially begin to accredit Engineering Technology and Engineering Technician programmes under the Engineering Technology Accreditation Council ( ETAC ). In keeping with international standards , the BEM has become a signatory to the ever expanding Washington Accord ( substantial equivalency in engineering programmes ) in 2009 , and has commenced its application in 2016 to be signatories to both the Sydney Accord ( for Engineering Technology programmes substantial equivalency ) and Dublin Accord ( for Engineering Technician programmes substantial equivalency ). All the three Accords are under the purview of the International Engineering Alliance ( IEA ), headquartered in Wellington , New Zealand . With substantial equivalency , graduates of EAC or ETAC accredited programmes will be given the same consideration as the other signatories ’ graduates with regards to the academic standing for the purpose of employment . The Accords facilitate mobility of engineers , engineering technologists and engineering technicians by acknowledging their academic qualifications .
To date there are ten signatories to the Sydney Accord ; Australia , Canada , Chinese Taipei , Hong Kong , Ireland , Korea , New Zealand , South Africa , the United Kingdom and the USA . The Dublin Accord has eight signatories , namely , Australia , Canada , Ireland , Korea , New Zealand , South Africa , United Kingdom and USA . Becoming a signatory to the Sydney and Dublin Accords ( as with the Washington Accord ) is a step forward to ensure all the three categories of our engineering programmes maintain their quality standard , and continually push for improvements .
The BEM is also beginning to provide professional pathways for registered engineering technologists and engineering technicians . Presently , a pathway for engineering technologists to become professional engineers has been established , through lateral movement by bridging the academic constituents . The BEM is already a signatory to the International Professional Engineers Agreement and the APEC Engineers , for mobility of professional engineers . Being a signatory to the two agreements ; the International Professional Engineering Technologist Agreement ( IETA ) and the Agreement of International Professional Engineering Technicians Agreement ( AIET ) will be pursued upon the BEM being a full signatory of the Sydney and Dublin accords .
56 VOL 68 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016